Drugs and Alcohol

Drug possession can be the basis for inadmissibility insofar as it relates to a crime relating to a controlled substance.

Use of drugs and alcohol can also be the basis for inadmissibility, but as a medical issue. This is especially poignant for individuals with arrests relating to alcohol misused (e.g. drink driving or violations committed whilst under the influence of alcohol).

In the United Kingdom, a medical examination by the Knightsbridge Doctors is required for any visa applicant a consular officer has reason to believe may be inadmissible for health reasons. The medical exam includes a full physical examination, as well as an interview as to use habits.

Interview with the Panel Physician

The Panel Physician is charged with determine whether use habits, notwithstanding current laboratory results, suggest a drug or alcohol problem. Individuals with a history of alcohol-related arrests should review the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), which forms the basis for this interview:

The MAST Test

The MAST Test is a simple, self-scoring test that helps assess if you have a drinking problem.

Answer yes or no to the following questions:

1. Do you feel you are a normal drinker? ("normal" is defined as drinking as much or less than most other people)

___ Yes ___ No

2. Have you ever awakened the morning after drinking the night before and found that you could not remember a part of the evening?

___ Yes ___ No

3. Does any near relative or close friend ever worry or complain about your drinking?

When a consular officer refers an individual for a medical examination, or in the case of all immigrant visa applicants, the exam is conducted by the panel physician under contract with the embassy. The exam includes a complete physical examination, as well as a discussion of use history and habits. Evidence of current misuse of drugs or alcohol will likely result in visa refusal.

Drug Testing

The basic drug test types and their approximate detection times are shown in the table below.